New bar profile: Local Bar

Thursday

Sep 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMOct 4, 2011 at 2:40 PM

The Short North has just about every type of watering hole. There's no shortage of swanky hotspots and casual hangouts to cater to whatever you're in the mood for, but there's not a place as outrageously fun as the new Local Bar.

Jesse Tigges, Columbus Alive

The Short North has just about every type of watering hole. There's no shortage of swanky hotspots and casual hangouts to cater to whatever you're in the mood for, but there's not a place as outrageously fun as the new Local Bar.

Taking over the former Kickstart coffee/scooter shop, Local Bar is full of "That '70s Show" kitsch, and it has the friendly vibe of a neighborhood spot where you can expect your beverage of choice to appear without even placing the order.

The Local Bar has been bringing in Short Northers since Labor Day weekend, but the bar has been holding off on its official Grand Opening until its drafts are operational.

The plan is to start with 12 taps and expand to 25 in the next couple of weeks. A total of 75 are expected to be available within six to 12 months. The focus will be on crafts and imports, with local breweries' offerings also having a strong presence.

That means The Local Bar will soon be a top destination for beer enthusiasts with the likes of Bob's Bar and Bodega. A late-running - until 9 p.m. - happy hour will be available soon, too.

Currently, you can order from a bottle selection that includes domestics ($2), imports ($3) and Columbus Brewing Company's IPA and Pale Ale ($3).

Besides the sturdy beer selection, a full bar of spirits is available, including Pinnacle vodkas and Avion Tequila. Yes, Avion is the tequila Turtle was hawking on the last two seasons of "Entourage," but don't let that association turn you off. It's some great south-of-the-border hooch.

Don't wait for Local Bar's drafts to be installed to visit, because this is still a retro-awesome hangout. The brown, orange and yellow color scheme - plus an egg chair and retro arcade games - is inviting to even non-nostalgia lovers. There's even a furry wall just in case a Geoffrey takes control of you.

Just as inviting is the feeling that all of this is done for fun, not high-concept posturing.